John Richard Lawless was born in Oakland, CA on February 4, 1933.
Dick graduated from Oakland High School in 1952, he then went to the University of San Francisco where he played basketball with the USF Dons during both of their NCAA championship seasons, 1954-1955 and 1955-1956. This was one of the proudest experiences in his life, and March Madness was one of his favorite times of year.
He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and was stationed in France for 2 years. Upon returning to the States, Dick started working for New York Life Insurance Company in Oakland, and retired with them after a successful 65 year career. He was said to be a great mentor to new agents (TheUnion).
The sizzling Don nine has made a tremendous upsurge after losing a miserable six in a row. Coach Dutch Anderson mixed in his talented Freshman with the Varsity veterans and has come up with a club which now seems invincible. The road to recovery started on Palm Sunday against a professional class 'B' team Pocatello of the Pioneer League. The Hilltoppers, sporting an unbalanced record of four wins and seven losses, met the Pros and with ex-basketballer, Dick Lawless throwing, downed the 'play for pay' boys 2-1. The Spartans from San Jose, who we considered one of the hottest teams in the bay area, dumped the Dons 4-2, the following Tuesday and gave them a poor send off for their southland tour.
San Diego Naval Air Station met the test. They were shut out 7-0 by freshman Joe Basques, who hurled brilliant ball. The Dons came to life as third sacker, Don Martini and short stop Bill Meyers clubbed a pair of hits each, but frosh star Ron Cecchi suffered a severe ankle sprain, putting somewhat of a damper on the victory. The Varsity then tried their new found power against the Marines from Camp Pendleton. They won 4-3, but it was only the timely hitting of Chuck McGuigan and a belt by limping right fielder Bob Braghetta that saved the victory for twirler Lawless and the rising Dons (TheFoghorn).
